How to Change Color of Imported CAD in Revit?

Understanding Color Modification of Imported CAD in Revit

Changing the color of an imported CAD file in Revit requires some careful consideration of how Revit interacts with imported models and the materials applied to them. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to altering the color of an imported CAD drawing.

Step 1: Importing the CAD File

Before you can modify the color, ensure your CAD file is imported into Revit correctly.

1. Navigate to the Insert tab.
2. Click on Import CAD located in the Import panel.
3. In the dialog that appears, locate and select the CAD file you wish to import.
4. Choose the appropriate file type and configure the import settings as needed.
5. Click Open to bring the CAD into your Revit project.

Step 2: Selecting the Imported CAD Element

Once your CAD file is successfully imported, you’ll need to select the specific part of the drawing that you want to change.

1. Click on the imported CAD element to highlight it. Ensure that it’s properly selected before proceeding to the next steps.

Step 3: Modifying the Color

To change the color of the imported CAD geometry, you typically use the Paint tool.

1. Navigate to the Modify tab in the ribbon.
2. Locate and click on the Paint button found in the Geometry panel.
3. A Material Browser dialog box should appear. Here, you can choose an existing material or create a new one.
4. If you are creating a new material, click on the New button in the Material Browser.
5. In the material editor, select the color you wish to apply. Adjust any additional properties of the material as needed.
6. Once you’ve selected the desired color, hover your cursor over the face of the CAD element you want to colorize. The face should highlight, indicating that it is ready for application.
7. Click on the highlighted face to apply the paint.

Step 4: Finishing Up

After applying the paint, you may want to exit the paint tool and ensure everything is in order.

1. Return to the Material Browser dialog and click Done to finalize your selection.
2. Inspect the colored surface in various views to ensure the adjustment meets your expectations.

Additional Considerations

• If you have multiple layers in your CAD file, you might need to apply different colors to different layers manually.
• Be mindful of the visibility settings in Revit that might affect how the colors appear in different views.
• Ensure that the materials assigned are included in your rendering settings for an accurate representation if you plan to generate renderings.

FAQ

1. Can I change the color of linework in an imported CAD file?
No, linework in an imported CAD file cannot be changed directly in Revit. You would need to convert the linework to a Revit object or create a new Revit element to represent the linework, after which you can change its appearance.

2. What should I do if the color change doesn’t appear in my project view?
Check the visibility/sensitivity settings for the view you are working in. Make sure that the imported CAD element has its visibility turned on in the view’s settings.

3. Is it possible to revert color changes applied to an imported CAD file?
Yes, if you need to revert changes, you can select the element and use the Reset option in the material editor or simply reapply the original material settings using the Material Browser.